Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Electrotest on September 15, 2011, 04:48:09 PM

Title: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: Electrotest on September 15, 2011, 04:48:09 PM

Hi,

I am think of using a router that uses Mach3 to control and would like to know if the software can import Gerber files. The use would be for PCB prototyping and there are a fw gerber files that need to be imported. They are a top layer, botom layer, drill file and keep out layer.

Any ideas?
Many thanks,

Steve ???

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: RICH on September 15, 2011, 07:00:05 PM

Steve,
Mach3 is not an importer of gerber files but rather provides for a file made up of Gcode. There are converters around which will convert a Gerber file to gcode. That's my nickle based on  knowing very little about the syntax of a Gerber file.

Surely others will chime in and correct me if i am wrong.
RICH

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: Electrotest on September 15, 2011, 07:15:43 PM

Thanks Rich. Lets see if there are any other ideas out there  :)

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: BR549 on September 15, 2011, 07:39:10 PM

SOrry but Mach ONLY understands Gcode. You can convert it from Gerber to Gcode  then RUN it in Mach3.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: Electrotest on September 15, 2011, 07:45:31 PM

Thanks TP. I think my question would then be, "How do you convert a Gerber file to a G-Code file". If I could do that, then I would be able to solve this problem.

Many thanks,

Steve.

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: budman68 on September 15, 2011, 07:58:07 PM

Quote from: Electrotest on September 15, 2011, 07:45:31 PM

Thanks TP. I think my question would then be, "How do you convert a Gerber file to a G-Code file". If I could do that, then I would be able to solve this problem.

Many thanks,

Steve.

Just did a google search for Gerber file to a G-Code and found a few options. You should do some searching and you may find what you need for conversion. :)

Dave

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: BR549 on September 15, 2011, 08:06:37 PM

YEP there ARE conversion programs out there as well as CAMs that import gerber and convert to Gcode. That is going to be one of those specialty things that very few use.

(;-)TP

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: DaOne on September 16, 2011, 02:01:19 AM

Better yet... What are you using that is outputting Gerber files? It might output G-code as well. Eagle for example can output G-code.

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: Electrotest on September 18, 2011, 04:12:17 PM

It could be Eagle but it can vary as I am trying to help a number of people who want a low end CNC router for PCBs. In some cases it would Altium Designer and I have a license of that so will check and see if it can. Thanks for the help.

Steve.

Title: Re: Gerber files to G Code
Post by: Hood on September 18, 2011, 04:51:22 PM

Look at Linegrinder http://www.ofitselfso.com/LineGrinder/LineGrinder.php
Tried it quickly one time myself and it seemed OK but did have to do a bit of tweaking to the code.
Hood